Advanced call forwarding user interface for mobile communication device

ABSTRACT

A call forwarding user interface for a mobile communication device provides selective access to pre-stored identifying data (e.g., an address book) for a user to define one or more call forwarding destinations for predetermined call forwarding conditions. Call forwarding profiles of such identifying data may also be defined and stored for subsequent selective actuation. Such interface features facilitate user-defined call forwarding functions with reduced requirements for memorization and/or reference to written or printed records.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to a call forwarding user interface ina mobile communication device capable of effecting a call forwardedcommunication connection with other communication devices over acommunication network

2. Related Art

Many mobile communication devices already have call forwardingcapability. Upon the occurrence of a pre-defined call forwardingcondition, an incoming call may be diverted or forwarded to a differentcommunication device that has been previously identified by the user.Typically, the user interface employed for identifying the desiredalternate destination telephone number or other identifying data hasrequired the user to manually enter each digit of identifying data. Ifthis can be done conveniently from memory or by reference to somewritten document, that may not present a great problem. However, if thedesired alternate destination identifying data has not been memorizedbut, instead, is only available as some other pre-stored data within thecommunication device itself, then the process may become cumbersome. Forexample, the desired identifying data may have to be recalled fordisplay on the device, copied onto paper or otherwise temporarilymemorized by the user before it can be manually keyed in to identify thedesired call forwarding destination. This can become particularlycumbersome if there are a number of different call forwarding conditionswhich may each be associated with a different call forwardingdestination and/or if the user frequently desires to change callforwarding arrangements to meet different encountered situations.

Typically call forwarding is set up on mobile phones such that when themobile user does not answer the phone, calls are forwarded to voicemail. Forwarding conditions for GSM phones are CFU (forward all incomingcalls unconditionally), CFB (forward when busy), CFNRC (forward when notreachable), CFNRY (forward when no reply).

However, a mobile phone user may also want to forward calls to specificnumbers, such as his/her home phone number, work phone number, cottagephone number, a friend's house, etc. For example, if the user is headingto a cottage and knows that there will be no cellular coverage there,he/she may want to forward all calls to the cottage land-line phonenumber.

Phone numbers such as those for a home, work, cottage, friend, etc.would typically already be contained in the user's address book in themobile phone itself. However, in order to set CFU forwarding to thecottage number destination, the user must open the Cottage address bookentry, copy or memorize the phone number, then open the call forwardingoption, and set the CFU phone number by entering it manually.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be betterunderstood and appreciated in conjunction with the following detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments taken together with theaccompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an overall system wide schematic view of an exemplarycommunication system incorporating mobile communication devices withenhanced call forwarding capability in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an abbreviated schematic diagram of hardware included withinan exemplary mobile communication device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3C provide an exemplary abbreviated schematic flow diagram ofcomputer software (i.e., program logic) that may be utilized in theuser's mobile communication device of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4-11 are exemplary abbreviated schematic depictions of userinterface screen displays A-H that may be utilized in association withthe program logic of FIGS. 3A-3C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

There is thus need for a more convenient way to access the address bookdirectly from the call forwarding option so that it is easy for the userto forward calls to a number in the address book.

Furthermore, if a user wishes to change the forwarding settingsregularly between, for example, default settings where unanswered callsare forwarded to voicemail, and a situation where all calls areforwarded to the “cottage”, there is need for an easy way to save therequired forwarding numbers and types into a “forwarding profile” or thelike so that the user can easily toggle between the two setups. That is,if the user wants to change the forwarding numbers for CFB, CFNRC, andCRNRY from one number to another, he/she is currently required tore-enter or (reselect from a saved list) the forwarding numbers for eachtype. It would be easier if, once a series of forwarding numbers hasbeen entered, that series could be saved into a “forwarding profile” sothat in the future profile could be enabled, without requiring the userto re-enter or reselect each individual forwarding number.

To address various aspects of such typical problems, the exemplaryembodiment of this invention provides various call forwarding useroptions in a mobile communication device capable of effecting a callforwarded communication connection with other communication devices overa communication network by use of identifying data associated with suchdevices.

For example, a communication device user may be provided with an optionto define at least one call forwarding destination using (a) previouslystored identifying data or (b) current user-input identifying data. Suchoption-selected identifying data may then be stored for future use inforwarding incoming calls to such at least one destination when acorresponding pre-defined call forwarding condition occurs.

For example, access may be provided to entries in an address book ofpreviously stored identifying data for other user communication devices.Indeed, an option may be provided to define a call forwardingdestination for each of plural pre-defined call forwarding conditions.For example, those plural pre-defined call forwarding conditions mightinclude at least two selected from the group consisting of (a) callforwarding unconditional, (b) call forwarding when busy, (c) callforwarding when non-reachable, and (d) call forwarding when no reply.

The exemplary embodiment also provides an option to define at least onestored call forwarding profile including identifying data of a callforwarding destination for at least one corresponding pre-defined callforwarding condition. An option may also be provided then to selectivelyuse at least one previously stored call forwarding profile. Indeed, anoption may be provided to define a different name for each of pluralstored profiles, each profile including a call forwarding destinationfor each of plural pre-defined call forwarding conditions. Suchpre-defined call forwarding conditions may include at least some ofthose listed above.

The methodology of this invention may be embodied in apparatus and/or ina digital storage medium containing a computer program which, whenexecuted, effects a call forwarding user interface of the type justdescribed.

Access to the address book from the call forwarding option screen forindividual forwarding types (CFU, CEB, CFNRC, CFNRY) can be providedinstead of only allowing the user to enter a phone number manually.Suppose the user wants to forward all calls (CFU) to the phone numberassociated with a “Cottage” entry in the address book. The callforwarding option screen can provide a menu item to allow selection of aphone number from the address book, which will allow the user to selectthe cottage phone number.

A menu item in the call forwarding option screen such as “CreateProfile”, or “Save Profile” can be provided which would save the set ofmappings between forwarding types and forwarding numbers to the devicepersistent data storage medium. For example, continuing with the cottagetheme, the user may have set up CFU as follows:

-   -   Forward All Calls to: Cottage 16131234321

This setup may be saved to the device's persistent store by invoking thecreate profile menu item and naming it “cottage”. In the future the usermay want to switch to this profile. A list of profiles may be displayedand there may be a menu item provided so that the user can enable theselected profile in one step.

This invention may be embodied in hardware, software or a combination ofhardware and software. The invention also provides a method forproviding advanced call forwarding user interface options—especiallyuseful in a mobile communication device. The exemplary embodiment isrealized, at least in part, by executable computer program code whichmay be embodied in physical program memory media.

As those in the art will appreciate, modern communication systems mayembody extremely complex diverse and widely scattered components,devices, networks and the like. A very simplified exemplary schematicdepiction of one such arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. Here, mobilewireless communication devices 100 a (e.g., mobile cell phones 100 b)and the like make wireless connection with various wireless networkssuch as wireless network A and/or wireless network B. These wirelessnetworks may, in turn, be connected via various gateways to a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), each other, the Internet, etc. Socalled “land-line” relatively immobile telephones 120 may be connectedto the various networks and may also have various degrees ofsophistication including call forwarding capabilities. Various types ofcomputers 130 may also be connected in various ways to suchinterconnected networks and they may also include call forwardingcapabilities.

The exemplary embodiment of this invention is particularly concernedwith advanced call forwarding user interface for mobile communicationdevices such as 100 a, 100 b and the like. A very abbreviated andschematic depiction of circuitry typically found within such mobilecommunication devices is depicted at FIG. 2.

As depicted in FIG. 2, mobile communication device 100 a, 100 b includesa suitable RF antenna 102 for wireless communication to/from wirelessnetworks A and/or B. Conventional RF, demodulation/modulation anddecoding/coding circuits 104 are provided. As those in the art willappreciate, such circuits can involve possibly many digital signalprocessors (DSPs), microprocessors, filters, analog and digital circuitsand the like. However, since such circuitry is well known in the art, itis not further described.

The mobile communication device 100 a, 100 b may also typically includea main control CPU 106 which operates under control of a stored programin program memory 108 (and which has access to data memory 110). CPU 106also communicates with a conventional keyboard 112, display 114 (e.g.,an LCD) and audio transducers such as speaker 116 and microphone 117.Suitable computer program executable code is stored in portions ofprogram memory 108 a to provide an advanced call forwarding userinterface. A portion of data memory 110 a may be used for storing one ormore address books of user identifying data, call forwarding profilesand/or data for use in generating user interface screen displays.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, upon entry to the call forwarding optionprogram logic at 300, an option screen A (FIG. 4) is displayed at 302.As depicted in FIG. 4, this option screen permits the user to select oneof several options before activating the “next” function. In theexemplary embodiment depicted here, seven different options are providedand once the user passes on to the next screen, tests are maderespectively at 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 and 316 in the programlogic of FIGS. 3A-3C so as to identify which option was selected by theuser. The first five of those options, if selected, will then displayscreen B (FIG. 5) at blocks 318, 320, 322, 324 and 326 to give the useran option to select call forwarding identification data from apre-stored address book. When the next screen of FIG. 5 is activated bythe user, a test is made at 328, 330, 332, 334 and 336 to see whetherthe address book is to be consulted. If not, then screen C (FIG. 6) isdisplayed at 338, 340, 342, 344 and 346 to permit the user to manuallykey in the desired call forwarding destination identifying data which isthen stored in association with the appropriate call forwardingcondition (CFU; CFB; CFNRC; CFNRY; or a plurality of such conditions).

If address book access has been selected by the user, then screen G(FIG. 10) is displayed and conventional scroll up/down user selectionfunctionality 348, 350, 352, 354 or 356 is executed resulting in theselected identifying data being transferred (or flagged) to anappropriate current use position in storage (e.g., associated with theappropriate call forwarding condition 358, 360, 362, 364 or 366 in FIGS.3A-3C.

If the sixth option has been selected by user, then a branch will betaken from the program logic in FIG. 3C as shown at 314 to block 368where screen F (FIG. 9) is displayed so as to give the user an option toselect and transfer (or flag) the appropriately pre-stored profileidentifying data as depicted at 370.

If the seventh option has been selected by the user in screen A, thenthe program logic will ultimately lead to block 372 in FIG. 3C wherescreen D (FIG. 7) is displayed so as to give the user an option to savea new call forwarding profile. If this option is taken, then at block374 screen E (FIG. 8) is displayed so as to identify the values to beassociated with each call forwarding condition and provide anopportunity to key in a desired new profile name at 376. The user isalso given an option at 378 to confirm that all of this data is correctand desired. If everything is as desired, then the new profile name anddata is saved at 380 and, at a common exit point 382, a final finishscreen H (FIG. 11) is shown to the user before exit is taken from thecall forwarding option sub-routine.

Those in the art will appreciate that the above description of one ormore presently preferred exemplary embodiments may be made modified inmany respects while yet retaining novel features and advantages.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for user programming of call forwarding instructions on amobile communication device capable of forwarding incoming callsaccording to a call forwarding profile of call forwarding destinationsfor each of a plurality of pre-defined call forwarding conditions, themethod comprising: providing a menu on the mobile communication deviceto program call forwarding instructions for incoming calls, the menuincluding a plurality of options to define the call forwarding profileby one of (a) user input of individual digits of multi-digit identifyingdata or, (b) user selection of existing entries of multi-digitidentifying data internally stored in a data memory of the mobilecommunication device; providing a user option to store the defined callforwarding profile in the data memory of the device and define adifferent name for each stored call forwarding profile; and using theprogrammed multi-digit identifying data to forward incoming calls to oneof the defined call forwarding destinations when a correspondingpre-defined call forwarding condition is detected for an incoming call;wherein the call forwarding profile includes selected call forwardingconditions from the group consisting of: (A) call forwardingunconditional, (B) call forwarding when the mobile device is in use, (C)call forwarding when the mobile device is not reachable, and (D) callforwarding when the mobile device is not answered in a predeterminedperiod of time.
 2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the providing the menucomprises: providing for user access to, and use of, entries in a phonebook of previously stored identifying data for other communicationdevices during use of option (b).
 3. A method as in claim 1 wherein theproviding the menu further comprises: providing, during option (b), anopportunity to selectively use at least one previously stored callforwarding profile.
 4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the data memory ofthe device comprises persistent data memory.
 5. A method as in claim 1wherein the existing entries of multi-digit identifying data areinternally stored in the data memory in an address book.
 6. A method asin claim 1 wherein the call forwarding profile includes at least threeselected call forwarding conditions from the group consisting of: (A)call forwarding unconditional, (B) call forwarding when the mobiledevice is in use, (C) call forwarding when the mobile device is notreachable, and (D) call forwarding when the mobile device is notanswered in a predetermined period of time.
 7. An apparatus for userprogramming of call forwarding instructions on a mobile communicationdevice capable of forwarding incoming calls according to a callforwarding profile of call forwarding destinations for each of aplurality of pre-defined call forwarding conditions, the apparatuscomprising a main control CPU adapted to: provide a menu on the mobilecommunication device to program call forwarding instructions forincoming calls, the menu including a plurality of options to define thecall forwarding profile by one of (a) user input of individual digits ofmulti-digit identifying data or, (b) user selection of existing entriesof multi-digit identifying data internally stored in a data memory ofthe mobile communication device; provide a user option to store thedefined call forwarding profile in the data memory of the device anddefine a different name for each stored call forwarding profile; andforward, using the programmed multi-digit identifying data, incomingcalls to one of the defined call forwarding destinations when acorresponding pre-defined call forwarding condition is detected for anincoming call; wherein the call forwarding profile includes selectedcall forwarding conditions from the group consisting of: (A) callforwarding unconditional, (B) call forwarding when the mobile device isin use, (C) call forwarding when the mobile device is not reachable, and(D) call forwarding when the mobile device is not answered in apredetermined period of time.
 8. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein themain control CPU is further adapted to: provide user access to, and useof, entries in an address book of previously stored identifying data forother communication devices during use of option (b).
 9. An apparatus asin claim 7 wherein the main control CPU is further adapted to: provide,during option (b), an opportunity to selectively use at least onepreviously stored call forwarding profile.
 10. An apparatus as in claim7 further comprising a persistent data memory adapted to store thedefined call forwarding profile.
 11. An apparatus as in claim 7 whereinthe existing entries of multi-digit identifying data are internallystored in the data memory in an address book.
 12. A digital storagemedium containing a computer program which, when executed by a mobiledevice, provides for user programming of call forwarding instructions onthe mobile communication device capable of forwarding calls according toa call forwarding profile of call forwarding destinations for each of aplurality of pre-defined call forwarding conditions, wherein executionof the program: provides a menu on the mobile communications device toprogram call forwarding instructions for incoming calls, the menuincluding a plurality of options to define the call forwarding profileby one of (a) user input of individual digits of multi-digit identifyingdata or (b) user selection of one of existing entries of multi-digitidentifying data internally stored in a data memory of the mobilecommunication device; provides a user option to store the defined callforwarding profile in the data memory of the device and define adifferent name for each stored call forwarding profile; and uses theprogrammed multi-digit identifying data to forward incoming calls to oneof the defined call forwarding destinations when a correspondingpre-defined call forwarding condition is detected for an incomingreceived call; wherein the call forwarding profile includes selectedcall forwarding conditions from the group consisting of: (A) callforwarding unconditional, (B) call forwarding when the mobile device isin use, (C) call forwarding when the mobile device is not reachable, and(D) call forwarding when the mobile device is not answered in apredetermined period of time.
 13. A digital storage medium as in claim12 wherein execution of the program: provides for user access to, anduse of, entries in a phone book of previously stored identifying datafor other communication devices during use of option (b).
 14. A digitalstorage medium as in claim 12 wherein execution of the program:provides, during option (b), an opportunity to selectively use at leastone previously stored call forwarding profile.
 15. A digital storagemedium as in claim 12 wherein execution of the program further providesa user option to store the defined call forwarding profile in apersistent data memory of the device.
 16. A digital storage medium as inclaim 12 wherein the existing entries of multi-digit identifying dataare internally stored in the data memory in an address book.
 17. Amethod for programming a call forwarding profile on a mobilecommunication device, the profile comprising call forwardingdestinations for a plurality of call forwarding conditions detectable onreceipt of an incoming call, the method comprising: providing a menu onthe mobile communication device to program the call forwarding profile,the menu including a plurality of options to define a call forwardingdestination for each of the plurality of call forwarding conditions byone of (a) manual input or (b) selection of a destination stored in adata memory of the mobile communications device, wherein when definitionof the call forwarding profile is complete, the user is provided anoption to store the defined call forwarding profile in the data memoryof the device by a different name for each stored call forwardingprofile; and using the call forwarding profile to forward incoming callsfrom the mobile communications device to defined call forwardingdestinations when a corresponding call forwarding condition is detected;wherein the call forwarding profile includes selected call forwardingconditions from the group consisting of: (A) call forwardingunconditional, (B) call forwarding when the mobile device is in use, (C)call forwarding when the mobile device is not reachable, and (D) callforwarding when the mobile device is not answered in a predeterminedperiod of time.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the menu includes anoption to activate a previously stored call forwarding profile.
 19. Amethod as in claim 17 wherein the data memory of the device comprisespersistent data memory.
 20. A method as in claim 17 wherein thedestination comprises an existing entry of multi-digit identifying data.21. A method as in claim 20 wherein the existing entry of multi-digitidentifying data is stored in the data memory in an address book.